Self-closing box



Patented Feb. 24, 1925.

PA'I'ENT OFFICE.

FRANK V. BooKEIR, or o-IEYENNE, wYovrING.

SELF-CLOSING BOX.

pplicatn file February 15, 1924. Serial No. 693,108.

To all 'whom t may concern Be it known that I, FRANK V.Y BooKER, acitizen of the United States, residing at Cheyenne, in the county ofLaramie and State of VVyoming, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Self-Closing Boxes, of which the following is a specfication.

This invention relates to novelty receptacles and has for its object theprovision of a unique, artistic and attractive box which may be of anydesired size and shape as well as materials and formed of a suitable orpreferred number of Sections, the essential feature being that thedevice is nornally held closed by the inherent resilience of vthematerial employed, and the arrangement being of such a nature thatopening is readily eifected by the application of pressure to the ends.

Another object is the provision of a box of this character which isparticularly useful for containing or holding trnkets, matches, tobaccoor other articles.

Yet another object is the provision of a device of this character whichlends itself readly to use as an advertising device as its simplicity`and cheapness will permit manufacture and disposition on a wholesalescale if such is desired.

lVith the above and other objects and advantages in view the inventionconsists in the details of construction to be hereinafter more fullydescribed and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich: Y

Figure l is a side elevation of the device in closed position,

Figure 2 is an end elevation thereof,

Figure 3 is a top plan view,

Figure 4 is a side elevation showing the device held within the hand andsqueezed to efi'ect opening,

Figure 5 is an end elevation showing the device in opened up position,

Figure 6 is a top plan view thereof showing it open.

Referring more particularly to the drawings I have, in the presentinstance, shown the box as comprised by three similar sections of somesuitable resilient material, .such for nstanee, as sole leather,Celluloid,

spring metal or the like. The material as well as the size and shape maybe varied Y within wide limits. One section 10 is here represented asconstituting the bottom, to the edges of which are secured the edges ofthe side Sections 11 and 12. All the edges of all three Sections arecurved so that the n-atural tendency of the bottom section 10 to fiexinto planar conditio-n causes the side sections to be disposed normallyagainst each other with their free edges abutting and defining aclosure.

The device is well adapted for use as a tobacco pouch, coin purse orholder of trinkets or other articles and it is obvious that it may bemade as ornamental as desired depending upon the use to which it is tobe put and the expense to be involved in the manufacture. To efiectopening, it is merely necessary to apply pressure to the ends 13whereupon the resultant bowing of the bottom and sides will cause thetop to gape open, permitting 'access to the interior.

VVhile I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of myinvention it is of course to be understood that I reserve the right tomake such changes in the form, construction and arrangement of parts aswill not depart from the Spirit of the invention or the scope Of thesubjoined claims.

I-Iaving thus described my invention I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a plurality ofSections having curved edges, one section constituting the bottom andthe other Sections being secured thereto at the edges thereof, thetendency of the bowed bottom to straighten into planar condition actingto hold the other. Sections closed.

2. A device of the character described comprising a bottom section and apair of similar side Sections secured thereto at the edges thereof. theother edges of the side sections being free to define an opening, thebottom being curved whereby its natural tendency to straighten will holdthe side Sections with the free edges thereof together.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FRANK V. BOOKER,

